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Copperhead Care
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by David_Eakin on September 29, 2005
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Can you tell me the lighting requirements for a Southern Copperhead? This time of year they are practically nocturnal so does this mean they do not need any UV or special lighting?
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RE: Copperhead Care
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by elapidking81 on September 29, 2005
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No special lighting is needed but they do need a photo period, what I do is about 4 or 5 hours of day light in the winter with the temps around the 60's to low 70's. Then when it starts to warm up in the sprind I up the day light time gradually and the same with the temp. As far as the special lighting like the high end light bulbs they are not required like they are with lizards and other reptiles. I use a standard uv light from wal-mart and a low watt spot light for a basking spot which in my opinion is a must, in all you want to mimic what they would get from outside. Plus you may want to add a flat rock under the spot light for basking just watch out and make sure it doesnt get to hot, and you must add a cooler side of the cage so the snake can cool off if needed.
Hope this helps
Shane Kissinger
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RE: Copperhead Care
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by David_Eakin on September 29, 2005
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Thanks...
It's an almost newborn copper about 10" long. I put a small UV lamp over the tank and he didn't seem to like it. I have a small 4" X 5" heat pad under one end of the tank and he seems to like curling up over that area. It just seems that in the wild right now they aren't getting any sun at all.
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RE: Copperhead Care
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by timberrattlesnake89 on September 29, 2005
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I know several people who do not use lighting at all they are fine. But they have a heated room just dedicated to venomous and one even has a seperate building that is kept warm in the summer and cool in the winter. He has a a/c window unit and a portable heater for them.
Phillip
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RE: Copperhead Care
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by timberrattlesnake89 on September 29, 2005
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Oh one other thing is that the copperhead is nocturnal so it will be more likely to like darkness than light. All of my snakes hide until its night and then they will comeout after dark.
Phillip
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RE: Copperhead Care
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by Frawgg on September 29, 2005
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As stated by other members, UVA & UVB lighting isn't as vital to the health of snakes as it is to lizards, chelonians, & crocodilians. Lizards and turtles (especially herbivorous sprcies) synthesize vitamin D3 from natural sunlight (UVA & UVB radiation). Lack of UVA & UVB radiation will eventually lead to metabolic bone (calcium)defiencies. It is thought that snakes don't suffer from this (as much) as they get their calcium from whole prey items (i.e, digesting the prey items' bones). Personally I don't use full spectrum lighting although I don't discourage it. I use just a under tank heating pad placed on the far side of the cage. In my opinion, heat lamps emit too much heat & I've found it difficult to provide a proper thermal gradient within the cage. As for photoperiods, I just leave the blinds open to my snake room window. If you live somewhere where the weather is perpetually gloomy, then I would use a full spectrum flourescent. Remember that full spectrum bulbs wether they be incandescent or fluorescent, are trying to SIMULATE natural sunlight. However, we all know that there is NO SUBSTITUTE for natural sunlight. Additionally, I would keep multiple water bowls within the enclosure to make sure your snake is properly hydrated. It is NO FUN helping a venomous snake shed its skin! Happy herpin'! Michael
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RE: Copperhead Care
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by David_Eakin on September 30, 2005
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Thanks all for the info. When I had someone tell me they "needed" the light I didn't think it sounded right. This little guy seems to be pretty undemanding.
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